The Russellville City Council passed a millage increase Thursday that will raise property tax rates for city residents.

Alderman Martin Irwin made the motion to approve .4 mills each for the Fire Relief Pension Board and for the Police Pension Board and zero mills for the city itself. This represents a .4 mill increase for property owners, who currently pay .4 mills to the fire pension and none to the police fund.

John Turbeville, a financier with Concert Wealth Management who represents both boards, said both pensions are funded well below what would create solvency for the funds. A .4 millage is estimated to provide around $140,000 annually to each fund.

Before the vote, Irwin noted the city had an obligation to fund the pensions.

“What we’re really talking about are, it looks like 41 people who spent their professional careers in public service for Russellville, Ark., and part of that deal was that not only did they contribute to this ... Part of the promise was that the public would, in return for their service, that we would contribute to their retirement, and this is one of those things that we promised to do and that we’re obligated to do. As citizens of Russellville, Ark., we’re obligated to.”

North Phoenix changes approved

The finance committee recommended to the full council approval of a change order for the North Phoenix Avenue extension in the amount of $4,524.85. Public Works Director Michael Oakes said the costs would pay for gates and fencing requested by Arkansas Tech University, through whose property the extension will be laid.

Requests for $129,769.35 to add curbs and gutters to the extension project and for $269,000 to amend the agreement between the city and Crafton Tull and Associates Inc. regarding the Phoenix extension were also recommended by the finance committee.

Oakes said the agreement amendment will provide for the development of construction documents and design plans to develop a bridge over the Union Pacific railroad on North Phoenix Avenue. The project itself is expected to cost $4.5 million, and will provide significant cost savings as opposed to bypassing the railroad via an underpass, which had previously been suggested. The project could go to bid as soon as next year, Oakes said, and estimated construction time to be 24 months, though “it could go faster than that, (but) probably would not go slower than that.”

Alderman Garland Steuber asked why the city chose to go with Crafton Tull in light of what he indicated to be some strain in the city’s relationship with the engineering firm created during the renovation of City Hall. Oakes responded Crafton Tull did the previous drawings for the projects several years ago when the city was considering an underpass and said there was “some economy gain from that prior involvement they had when they worked on that underpass.”

“Economy gain isn’t everything,” Steuber replied.

Oakes also noted the staff from the firm had been, in his opinion, “responsible, professional” and their “performance has been excellence.” He also noted the firm’s civil engineering team was different from the architectural team that worked on the City Hall project.

The full council approved all three recommendations unanimously.

Dilapidated structures OK’d for removal

Three properties deemed dilapidated by city officials face removal if owners cannot bring them back into code within 30 days.

Four properties were part of an ordinance approving the removal or razing of the unoccupied structures, but one property — located on East B Street — was removed from the list after the owner approached the council Thursday and explained she inherited the home from her deceased brother recently and has not yet had time to make needed repairs.

The other properties, located at 242 South Enid, 1722 S. Arkansas Ave. and 118 Damascus Road, must be brought up to code within 30 days, the council determined by unanimous vote.

City Code Enforcement Officer Bill Clark previously said such dilapidated structures — aside from being an eyesore to the neighborhood — can become a haven for unwanted pests.

“These properties are not fit for habitation, and when they get in that condition they get a lot of varmints,” Clark said. “It becomes a home for rats and other animals, and it can get out of control pretty quickly.”

Clark added the structures may present a danger to children as well.

“If the structure is not properly boarded up or taken care of, kids will start hanging out in there or break in. They could get hurt or get into trouble in there,” he said.

The ordinance is a result of an investigation of complaints concerning the properties made by surrounding residents. The ordinance stated owners of the properties in question were notified the structure was being considered for removal at Thursday’s meeting.

The ordinance allows 30 days following its approval for owners or responsible parties to either remove or rehabilitate the property. After 30 days, City Attorney Trey Smith will employ an inspector to conduct an asbestos survey of the structure. After receipt of the survey results, Smith will then advertise for someone to provide services in removing the structure for compensation.

In other business Thursday, the council:

Approved unanimously an ordinance to rezone property from C-2 to C-4, located at 901 E. 16th St.

Approved unanimously a resolution to issue a special use permit to allow a pre-owned car sales in a C-2 for property located at 2400 E. Main St.

Approved unanimously an ordinance to rezone property from R-1 to C-2, for a proposed mini-storage facility located at 1167 State Highway 124.

Approved unanimously a resolution to issue a special use permit to allow operation of a mini-storage facility in a C-2 for a property located at 1167 State Highway 124.

Approved unanimously the appointment of Patricia Petray to the Oakland Cemetery Commission.

Approved unanimously the reappointment of Jerry Akin and Bob Burris to the Russellville Regional Airport Commission.